Keeping an eye on calories
You want to compare the energy content of different tortilla chips without confusing the value per 100 g with that of the amount you’ll eat at work.
Who is this choice for?
Considering salt as well
You check the salt as well as the calories and, where shown on the pack, the Nutri-Score of the products you’re considering for the same break.
Checking the recipe and pack size
You want a recipe with ingredients and allergen information you can read, as well as a pack that lets you keep track of how much you eat.
What should you check before buying?
To compare tortilla chips on a like-for-like basis, start with the values per 100 g. The DGCCRF says this is how nutrition information is presented for pre-packed foods.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who this is for |
|---|---|---|
| Calories in your portion | Compare the kcal per 100 g, then work out the amount for the portion you plan to have. | For my break, I want to know what the amount I’ll eat adds up to, rather than relying on the pack size; around 50% of consumers prioritise the calories in their portion. |
| Salt and nutrition information | Check the salt per 100 g and, if shown, the Nutri-Score, which Santé publique France says is voluntary. | If I’m choosing between two bags, I don’t want to decide on calories alone and overlook the salt; around 30% of consumers prioritise this broader nutritional check. |
| Recipe and pack size | Read the ingredients and allergens for your chosen flavour, and check the net weight so you can plan your portion. | I need to check what’s in my chips and plan what I’ll save for another break; for around 20% of consumers, the recipe and pack size come first. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
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Assuming “plain”, “organic” or “small bag” means fewer calories
These terms don’t tell you the energy value per 100 g. A smaller pack contains less product, but that doesn’t mean its chips are lower in calories for the same weight.
Compare the kcal per 100 g on the packs you’re considering, then work out the calories in your portion.
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Looking at calories alone
The energy figure on its own doesn’t tell you how much salt the product contains. Where shown, the Nutri-Score is an additional guide, not a replacement for the nutrition table.
Compare the salt per 100 g in the products you’re interested in too.
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Confusing pack weight with an individual portion
A pack intended to be eaten over several occasions doesn’t tell you how much you’ll have during one break.
Set aside your portion before you start work, then reseal the rest of the bag.
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Assuming allergens are the same in every flavour
Ingredients vary from one recipe to another. Information published by Auchan lists milk in Old El Paso cheese-flavour chips and possible traces of soya in its plain tortillas.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact bag you’re buying.
Brands to know
Doritos
Carrefour offers Doritos tortilla chips in flavours including Original, Nacho Cheese and Mexican Taco, in 160 g bags.
- A choice of seasonings lets you pick a flavour to suit your taste.
- The flavour doesn’t tell you which option has the fewest calories: compare the values on the bags you’re considering.
Carrefour Sensation
Carrefour’s tortilla chip range includes plain and chilli recipes in various pack sizes.
- Choosing the bag size can help you plan how much you’ll have for several breaks.
- The pack size and recipe name don’t replace a comparison of kcal per 100 g.
Auchan
For its 150 g plain tortilla chips, Auchan lists maize flour, sunflower oil and salt.
- The ingredients list lets you check what’s in this plain recipe.
- Auchan notes that the product may contain traces of soya; the ingredients alone don’t show whether these chips are lower in calories.
Auchan Bio
The Auchan Bio range includes 150 g plain tortilla chips. For this product, Auchan lists 21.5% sunflower oil and 0.8% salt in the recipe, among other ingredients.
- The ingredients list gives you specific details to check in the recipe you’ve chosen.
- The organic label doesn’t prove that these chips contain fewer calories than other tortilla chips.
SUN SNACKS
Aldi France offers SUN SNACKS tortilla chips in Original and Chilli flavours, in 300 g bags.
- The bag size may suit you if you’re planning several portions or want to share.
- For a single break at work, set aside the amount you plan to eat before putting the rest away.
Tortilla chips for a break at work
These 160 g and 185 g bags of tortilla chips can be divided into portions for a break at work. To choose based on calories, compare the nutrition information for the exact varieties on their packaging.
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Doritos Original Tortilla Chips 160 g
The 160 g bag can be divided into several portions for work. Before comparing it with another product, check the flavour, ingredients, allergens and kcal for the variety you’re buying on the packaging.
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Doritos Sour Cream Flavour 160 g
This Sour Cream Flavour variety comes in a 160 g bag, so set aside the amount you want for your break. Check the label for allergens and nutrition information before choosing this flavour.
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Old El Paso Original Crispy Tortilla Chips 185 g
If you’re having this 185 g bag on your own, set aside the portion you want to eat. Then compare its kcal and salt per 100 g with other tortilla chips you’re considering, and check the allergens on the packaging too.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the calories in two bags of tortilla chips?
First compare the kcal per 100 g, then work out the amount for the portion you plan to eat. The DGCCRF says that presenting nutrition information per 100 g makes it easier to compare pre-packed foods; comparing bags of different weights directly doesn’t give you the same basis for comparison.
Do tortilla chips have to display the Nutri-Score?
No. Santé publique France says that displaying the Nutri-Score is voluntary. If it’s shown, you can use it alongside the kcal and salt per 100 g, but its absence doesn’t tell you anything specific about the product’s nutritional quality.
Are plain or organic tortilla chips always lower in calories?
No. These labels don’t let you compare energy content. Check the kcal per 100 g for the exact products. The ingredients lists published by Auchan for its plain tortillas and Auchan Bio plain tortillas show 20% and 21.5% sunflower oil respectively, but that information alone isn’t enough to calculate their calories.
What should I check if I have an allergy or intolerance?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the bag you choose, even if you’re only switching flavours. Information published by Auchan lists milk and lactose in Old El Paso cheese-flavour chips, and possible traces of soya in its plain tortillas.
How should I store an opened bag for another break?
Reseal the bag after taking out your portion, and keep it away from heat and moisture. Auchan gives this advice for its Bio chilli-flavour tortillas to help preserve their crunch and flavour.